Affordability index - the ratio of average household income to the average income needed to meet the repayments for an average established dwelling purchased by a first home buyer. A value of 100 indicates that a household with average income would meet the average income requirements to service the average mortgage. An increase in the index represents an improvement in affordability.

Alterations and additions - all approved structural and non-structural changes to a dwelling of a value of not less than $10,000 which are integral to the functional and structural design of the dwelling e.g. garages, carports, pergolas, reroofing, recladding etc. but excluding swimming pools, ongoing repairs, landscaping, and maintenance and home improvements not involving building work.

Applicants accommodated - the total number of applicants accommodated in public rental accommodation in a year.

Reference: Department of Health, Housing and Community Services Annual Report

Average weekly earnings index - the total weekly ordinary time (before tax) earnings of full-time adult employees divided by the total number of full-time adult employees and expressed as an index with base year 1989-90=100.

Reference: Average Weekly Earnings, Australia (cat. no. 6302.0)

Being purchased - a dwelling that is currently being purchased for accommodation by the occupant(s) by means of a mortgagor or some other form of finance.

Finance commitments - firm offers to provide finance for owner-occupation or alterations and additions (as defined) which have been, or are normally expected to be, accepted. Commitments to provide housing finance to employees and commitments accepted and cancelled in the same month are included.

Houses - dwellings separated from other dwellings, buildings or structures by space of at least half a metre to allow access on all sides. This category also includes houses which have an attached flat (e.g. a granny flat).

Housing interest rate - the financial year annual average of the interest rate applicable on the last working day of each month to standard variable rate loans for owner-occupation of large bank housing lenders. It is the predominant or representative rate (or range of rates) of major banks, although some banks may quote rates outside the ranges.

Reference: Reserve Bank of Australia Monthly Bulletin

Housing waiting list - the number of applicants (households) waiting for public rental accommodation on 30 June.

Reference: Department of Health, Housing and Community Services Annual Report

Materials used in house building price index - prices of selected materials used in the construction of dwellings expressed as an index with base year 1989-90=100.

Private/public sector dwellings completed - when building activity has progressed to the stage where the building can fulfil its intended function. The ABS regards buildings as completed when notified as such by the respondents (builders) to the survey.

Reference: Building Activity, Australia (cat. no. 8752.0)

Private rental index - the price of rent of a privately owned dwelling expressed as an index with base year 1989-90=100.

Reference: Consumer Price Index, Quarterly (cat. no. 6401.0)

Project home price index - the price of dwellings available for construction on a client's block of land expressed as an index with base year 1989-90=100.